2nd District: Candidates command passionate support

Friday

Whether Tuesday’s vote results in an easy landslide or another multi-day recount, candidates for the 2nd Congressional District can’t accuse their supporters of sitting on a fence.

Whether Tuesday’s vote results in an easy landslide or another multi-day recount, candidates for the 2nd Congressional District can’t accuse their supporters of sitting on a fence.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, Republican Sean Sullivan and Green candidate G. Scott Deshefy now need only to await results. The passion of their supporters is already in place.

How do Courtney supporters rate the freshman congressman? Pick an issue.

“Our family lives in the Eight Mile River Watershed,” said Harvey Thomas of Colchester. “Joe was especially influential in securing (federal) wild and scenic designation. That might not mean a lot to people in Tolland, but it ensures that about 60 or 70 square miles of almost pristine Connecticut landscape remain undisturbed. Reasonable people can disagree about our need for more submarines, but Joe has worked very hard in securing the next generation of submarines — jobs for people who live in the district.

“Joe has good values, and he doesn’t back down when people get in his face,” Thomas said, citing the $700 billion financial bailout, which Courtney voted against, as an example.

Glenn Arthur, a Republican from Ledyard, formerly served in the statehouse with Courtney. But he is voting for Sullivan.

“Two years ago, Democrats came to Washington promising a lot of things,” Arthur said. “I like Joe and consider him a personal friend. But I think there’s been a lot of unnecessary bickering. I’m in a mood to throw all the bums out.”

He supports Sullivan’s policies on energy, particularly an expansion of domestic oil drilling, saying it is a matter of economy and national security. He also values Sullivan’s experience as Navy liaison to Congress.

“Sean is a bright guy,” he said. “He knows how Washington works.”

Dean Fiora of Willimantic has been volunteering for Deshefy.

“I knew Scott before,” he said. “I found out he was running and I liked his ideas.”

Kristin Fortier, also of Willimantic, attended a candidate debate in Lebanon after she learned Deshefy would be participating. She came away convinced.

“I like how he looked at the big picture,” she said. “I like how he had everything intertwining, the economy, people, the environment.”

Background: U.S. Naval Academy, class of 1980; retired 2006; last command U.S. submarine base in Groton; former Navy liaison to Congress; former commander USS Jefferson City, Los Angeles-class attack submarine; former member Ledyard Board of Education; member Ledyard Rotary Club

Phone: (860) 464-0274

E-mail: info@sullivan2008.com

Web site: www.sullivan2008.com

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